Ex-Patient Pleads Innocent To Attempted Murder of Psychologist and Family

Dec. 24, 1987

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ A woman who allegedly stalked her former psychologist for four years pleaded innocent Wednesday to attempted murder in a weekend ambush that left the therapist and two family members shot.

Municipal Court Judge David Milton ordered Kimberly Gracyalny, 30, held without bail but said he would reconsider bail on Monday.

The judge also scheduled Ms. Gracyalny for a Jan. 6 preliminary hearing on the attempted murder charges, said court clerk Sharon Charles.

Psychologist David Fox, 33, his wife, Deborah, 31, and their 7-year-old daughter were wounded in the attack outside their home Sunday. The couple's three sons, ages 9, 10, and 18 months, were unhurt.

The couple managed to tackle Ms. Gracyalny during the attack and call police, said Lt. Robert E. Kimball.

Fox was treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for a gunshot wound in the arm and released, and his wife and daughter were released early Wednesday, said hospital spokeswoman Paula Correia.

The climax to years of harassment came when the family returned to their home after dinner Sunday. Ms. Gracyalny opened fire as they stepped from the car, Kimball said.

Kimball said he knew of no motive but said Fox had treated Ms. Gracyalny for about a year beginning in 1982 for an undisclosed problem.

Since 1983, she has been ''a constant source of harassment to Dr. Fox,'' being arrested at least twice for allegedly trespassing on Fox's property, Kimball said.

Superior Court Judge Charles E. Jones issued a restraining order in March 1986, ordering the woman to remain at least 500 yards from Fox and to refrain from telephoning him or his family. The order was due to expire in 1989.